WASHINGTON — Jimmy Rollins wasn’t able to play the final series against the Washington Nationals because of a strained calf, but he was there after Wednesday’s regular-season finale to say his piece.

While the most eye-widening words to come out of the veteran shortstop’s mouth was a prediction that the Nationals are “second place” if the Phillies return healthy in 2013, he also addressed other matters surrounding the team. They included:

The bullpen: “We have some arms. I’ve never had a bullpen of guys coming up throwing 93-plus (mph). In the past it’s 89 and trying to trick somebody. They got thrown into the fire without a chance to get groomed, and everybody got to find out what their role is going to be. They have some time under their belt. The game will slow down for them next year.”

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Juan Pierre: “I enjoyed playing with Juan this year after playing against him all those years. He’s definitely a bright light, a positive guy. He kept everyone laughing and in stitches every day. You need those type of guys around, especially in a year like this. Hopefully if he agrees to come back we’ll have a better year and it’ll be that much better.”

Darin Ruf, who for the fourth straight game was responsible for all of the Phillies’ RBIs (a sacrifice fly in the 5-1 loss): “He’s definitely going to make some decisions tough for guys.”

Coaching changes: “As a coach you’re hired knowing you’re going to be fired someday. It’s just the way it goes, unfortunately. I liked Sam (Perlozzo). He was my ground-ball partner every day. It’ll be different, finding someone to hit me ground balls where I need them.”

The Phillies suffered terribly at third base for much of the season, as Placido Polanco’s back failed him, and both Ty Wigginton and Mike Fontenot did little to pad the loss either with the glove or the bat once Polanco landed on the disabled list.

Then Kevin Frandsen got a shot, and after going 2-for-4 with a double Wednesday he finished the season with a .338 average in 195 at-bats with the Phillies. With Ruben Amaro Jr. publicly dissing the upcoming free-agent pool for third basemen, Frandsen gave the Phillies reason to consider whether he and Freddy Galvis might be productive enough as a tandem at the hot corner in 2013.

“All I care about is that I put myself in a good position for us to win,” Frandsen, 30, said. “I have to prove every day. It wasn’t to stay for next year, but to stay the next day. I think I’ll always take it that way. Nothing is really guaranteed in this game.

“I just took the opportunity and ran with it. I feel like I put myself in a spot where good things can happen. It’s been a long haul. I’d love to be here a long time, but that’s not my call.”